If you're in an enlightened state like CA, you may think things are not so bad. In MA, a low-level programmer working on, say, banking software, can be prevented for up to three years from working at another banking software company. Keep in mind, that experience is the prime driver of a person's ability to earn more money over time. I'm not talking about stealing secrets or brilliant insights. I'm talking about basic knowledge of how the banking industry works.

Of course now I've seen news stories about fast-food workers having similar non-competes, so i guess it can always be worse.